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Pakistan

6,000 people still missing in Balochistan: Malik

Dunya News

Rehman Malik said that around 6,000 people were still missing in Balochistan.

A two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Jawad S Khawaja, heard the petition on the law and order situation in Balochistanin Supreme Court on Friday.During the course of proceedings, a heated exchange of dialogue took place between the bench and Advocate General Balochistan Amanullah Kinrani.Kinrani said the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti took place during the Musharraf regime which led to deterioration in the province’s security situation.Responding to which, the chief justice remarked that the court had strengthened the state’s institutions, adding that, the advocate general should submit his reply in writing.The advocate general said that if Raisani’s government was removed, no other authority would be present to take up responsibility.He added that the general election was going to take place in a couple of months’ time, adding that, it was the people of the province who had the authority to reject the current government.The advocate general said that things were not going to change in the province in two months’ time.Following the exchange, the interior minister attempted to present his view upon approaching the rostrum.Upon which, the chief justice directed the minister to return to his seat since he had not been called to speak.The chief justice directed the interior minister to submit his statement in writing.Malik replied that if the bench did not allow him to speak, neither he, nor the bench would be absolved in the annals of history.Chief Justice Iftikhar said that while the bench would be exonerated by history, the interior minister would not.Subsequently, Attorney General Irfan Qadir presented a report on the province’s security situation on behalf of the interior ministry.Qadir moreover said that the court had no authority to issue orders to the provincial government, adding that, the bench had no rationale to rule against the federation and the Balochistan government.He added that the court was continually humiliating the interior minister by repeatedly issuing summons for him.Qadir said Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja had stated that Malik was a party in the case.Subsequently, the attorney general read out the interior ministry’s report before the bench.The report stated that the government was fully aware of its duties, adding that, it was taking a number of steps to improve the security situation in Balochistan.The report added that it could not be said that the provincial government had failed.It further asked whether the court was declaring a state of emergency in Balochistan, adding that, only the president had the authority to do so.After the report was read out, Chief Justice Iftikhar remarked that the Balochistan government was answerable to what was happening in the province.The chief justice moreover asked whether it was possible for people to freely move in the province.Responding to which, Malik said that the impression that Balochistan was not safe to travel in was faulty.The chief justice then offered Malik to travel with him to Balochistan to which the interior minister agreed.Upon which, the chief justice said that he would not travel with the minister in an armoured personnel carrier.Malik agreed to travel in an ordinary car and offered to take the driver’s seat.To which, the chief justice said that travelling to Balochistan did not mean travelling to Quetta alone.The bench subsequently remarked that the government needed to admit that the situation in Balochistan was not stable.The chief justice said that a commission should travel to Balochistan to determine the facts about its law and order situation.Malik said a number of militant groups were involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan.Malik moreover said that the government and the judiciary had to sustain democracy in the country.Responding to which, the chief justice said that democracy would remain.Justice Jawad S Khawaja advised to form a committee including media personnel and lawyers who will travel in the province to monitor the situation.The bench then adjourned the hearing until November 20.Chief Minister Balochistan Aslam Raisani and 15 other members of the provincial assembly were present at the hearing.